Movies expected to be popular holiday activity

MONTROSE — If you thought the holiday season put a smile on your face, you ought to see the faces of those in the entertainment world.

Hollywood executives are projecting for a big holiday week in sales at the box office, after a year which saw the movie industry revenues drop by a whopping 23 percent, with the exception of the summer Batman sequel “The Dark Knight,” which made $530 million in the U.S. alone.

The theaters are currently fighting off movie rental stores, which have see a big surplus in the past few months leading up to Christmas and television networks airing movies. Many Montrose residents say they are choosing between their options while others opt to do all three.

Peyton Sego, manager of Hastings, 2201 S. Townsend Ave., said shortly after Halloween the store made a special section for Christmas and holiday movies. He said while he didn’t have specific numbers on holiday movie sales, the store had seen more business.

“We have seen a really nice increase,” Sego said. “Our eight week average has been a positive increase each week, so people are definitely wanting to watch movies around this time of the year.”

Ben Miller, a Montrose resident, said he and his family had been renting holiday movies from a variety of stores in town as a way to get into the holiday spirit.

“After Thanksgiving, you just get in the Christmas frame of mine,” Miller said. “We tend to rent the old Christmas classics — like “Christmas Vacation” or the original “Home Alone.” They are fun family movies and put you in the holiday mood.”

Christopher Harper of Montrose said he didn’t spend any money at the theater or rental stores.

“There are so many great movies, especially holiday ones right now, I just don’t see the point in spending money on renting or hitting a theater,” Harper said. “I can watch so many great Christmas movies at home because they are always on television. I saw someone at Wal-Mart buying “A Christmas Story” on DVD and wondered ‘why?’ They pay $9.99, I’ll watch it for free on cable on Christmas Eve.”

But not everybody is saying no to the theaters.

In its opening weekend, the Vince Vaughn/ Reese Witherspoon holiday comedy “Four Christmases” made $32 million and has grossed just under $100 million as of Dec. 20.

The movie is still playing at Fox Theater due to its holiday theme and residents said it was enjoyable.

“My husband and I took our daughter to go see, it was really cute,” said Jane Handbrook of Montrose. “I think it is one of those movies that because it’s meant for a family and has a holiday plot will do well this time of year. I think the theaters are always busy this time of year.”

Hollywood hopes so.

Just this past weekend, the Jim Carrey comedy “The Yes Man,” The Will Smith drama “Seven Pounds” opened up to good reviews.

In addition, a variety of movies, including Adam Sandler’s “Bedtime Stories,” Tom Cruise’s “Valkyrie,” Jennifer Aniston’s “Marley and Me” and Brad Pitt’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” will hit theaters on Christmas day.

Branden Arnold of Montrose said that with the holiday season and so many titles being released, the movie theaters should do just fine.

“What can you do to have fun this time of year, that is also relaxing and doesn’t force you to be outside? See a movie,” Arnold said. “There are a lot of great movies that families can go see together. I bet the box office reports big numbers.”